Clifford R. Hagey, 93, of Mesa, Ariz., a former Baker County resident, died April 25, 2001, after a four-month battle with spinal cancer.
Family and friends will remember Mr. Hagey by gathering in La Grande later this summer. Disposition was by cremation in Arizona. There will not be a funeral service.
Mr. Hagey was born at the family home in Island City on April 9, 1908, and lived in Union and Baker counties for 62 years. In 1972, he sold his farm at Haines and moved to Chandler, Ariz., to begin a new division of Commercial Welding cattle handling equipment and later a division of Port-A-Stall rodeo equipment.
Mr. Hagey lived life to the fullest with few regrets. He often talked about how his life had ranged from horse-and-buggy days to seeing man land on the moon. As a young man, he once rode a saddle horse from Hot Lake to Pendleton to see the first talking picture show to come to Eastern Oregon.
He was known as a hard worker and a good cowboy. He took pride in good horses, straight fences and gates that didn’t drag. During the 1950s, he was captain of the Baker County Mounted Sheriff’s Posse.
He worked diligently to put together the Old Oregon Trail Stampede, the 1959 Centennial Pony Express Ride and the Bucking Horse Remuda. He was a well-known rodeo announcer for more than 25 years.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Ruth; brothers, Darl and Ralph Hagey; and many very good friends.
Survivors include his sons and daughters-in-law, Darl and Annette Hagey of Missoula, Mont., and Brian and Debra Hagey of Gresham; grandchildren, Shane, Jenny and Jason Hagey; great-grandchildren, Logan, Hillary, Rachell, Connor and Kimberly; foster daughter, Cindy Parker; and brother, Floyd Hagey, and sister, Beulah Tahl, both of La Grande.
Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of the Valley, 2145 W. Southern Ave., Mesa, AR 85202.
Used with permission from: The Baker City Herald, Baker City, Oregon, May 4, 2001
Transcribed by: Belva Ticknor